It is time for the government to take decisive action to tackle the crisis in the Irish fishing industry following the publication this week of the emergency package of measures to tackle the crisis by the European Commission according to opposition politicians.

Fine Gael's fisheries spokesperson Michael Creed said, "The package as a whole, while broadly welcome, provides more questions than answers. It is now up to the minister to provide clarity to the fishing industry as to how it intends to provide support for fishermen within the parameters laid down by the EU.

"Minister Smith must also clarify whether measures outlined in the package relating to a decrease in social security contributions for fishermen are to be implemented in the context of the current budgetary climate. State aid packages have already been delivered in other countries as a measure to compensate against escalating fuels costs."

His party colleague, MEP Colm Burke stressed the Government must now act quickly to dispel uncertainty in the industry.

Mr Burke, who is a member of the EU Fisheries Committee said, "The monies are available in the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) to tackle the crisis affecting the Irish fisheries sector. The Commission has made it clear that it will provide up to 95 per cent of the funds for co-financed projects. Therefore, the current economic climate in Ireland is not an excuse for inaction".

The Commission has proposed five measures to address the crisis including emergency aid, a fleet adaptation scheme, more investment in fisheries-based research and education programmes, improved marketing, and a commitment from the EU to meet 95 per cent of the costs of the plan.

Mr Burke added, "These measures will not resolve all the difficulties that the fishing industry faces and in particular the difficulties that coastal communities face. The proposals, however, are an incentive for the Government to take decisive action in assisting the fishing industry and coastal communities in these difficult times".

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